It is now 12 years since the first article on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) was reported in 2003. The recognition of MRONJ is still inconsistent between physicians and dentists but it is without doubt a severe disease with impairment of oral health-related quality of life. This position paper was developed by three Austrian societies for dentists, oral surgeons and osteologists involved in this topic. This update contains amendments on the incidence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, staging and treatment and provides recommendations for management based on a multidisciplinary international consensus. The MRONJ can be a medication-related side effect of treatment of malignant and benign bone diseases with bisphosphonates (Bp), bevacizumab and denosumab (Dmab) as antiresorptive therapy. The incidence of MRONJ is highest in the oncology patient population (range 1-15 %), where high doses of these medications are used at frequent intervals. In the osteoporosis patient population, the incidence of MRONJ is estimated to be 0.001-0.01 %, marginally higher than the incidence in the general population (< 0.001 %). Other risk factors for MRONJ include glucocorticoid use, maxillary or mandibular bone surgery, poor oral hygiene, chronic inflammation, diabetes mellitus, ill-fitting dentures as well as other drugs, including antiangiogenic agents. Prevention strategies for MRONJ include elimination or stabilization of oral disease prior to initiation of antiresorptive agents, as well as maintenance of good oral hygiene. In those patients at high risk for the development of MRONJ, including cancer patients receiving high-dose BP or Dmab therapy, consideration should be given to withholding antiresorptive therapy following extensive oral surgery until the surgical site heals with mature mucosal coverage. Management of MRONJ is based on the stage of the disease, extent of the lesions and the presence of contributing drug therapy and comorbidity. Conservative therapy includes topical antibiotic oral rinses and systemic antibiotic therapy. Early data have suggested enhanced osseous wound healing with teriparatide in those patients without contraindications for its use. The MRONJ related to denosumab may resolve more quickly with a drug holiday than MRONJ related to bisphosphonates. Localized surgical debridement is indicated in advanced nonresponsive disease and has proven successful. More invasive surgical techniques are becoming increasingly more important. Prevention is the key for the management of MRONJ. This requires a close teamwork for the treating physician and the dentist. It is necessary that this information is disseminated to other relevant health care professionals and organizations.
ZusammenfassungRANK-Ligand ist der wichtigste Faktor für die Bildung, Funktion und das Überleben von Osteoklasten, die für den kontinuierlichen Knochenumbau verantwortlich sind. Indem RANKL an RANK auf unreifen und reifen Osteoklasten bindet, fördert er die Osteoklastogenese und die Aktivität der reifen Zellen. In vivo wird RANKL durch Osteoprotegerin (OPG) negativ reguliert. OPG bindet an RANK-Ligand, neutralisiert ihn und hemmt so die Knochenresorption. Diese Faktoren liegen im gesunden Knochen in einem Gleichgewicht vor und ein Ungleichgewicht ist meist die Ursache für Knochenerkrankungen wie Osteoporose. Untersuchungen an Knockout- und transgenen Mäusen belegen die zentrale Rolle des RANKL/OPG-Systems beim Knochenstoffwechsel. Ovariektomierte Ratten dienen als Modell für die postmenopausale Osteoporose, die sich bei diesen Tieren durch Gabe von OPG wirksam behandeln lässt. Diese präklinischen Versuche mündeten in der klinischen Entwicklung von Denosumab. Denosumab ist ein zugelassener, vollhumaner, monoklonaler Antikörper, der mit hoher Affinität an den humanen RANK-Liganden bindet und dessen Aktivität reversibel hemmt. Klinische Studien der Phase III belegen die Wirksamkeit dieses neuartigen Wirkstoffs bei Patientinnen mit postmenopausaler Osteoporose.
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